Sunday, July 24, 2005

Police Brutality in London, or New YorkIf you are stopped by the police, stay calm and in control. Remember, anything you say or do can be used against you. You might be arrested for provoking or bad-mouthing police, resisting physically, or running away. Use your judgment; the police might arrest you even if they are not legally justified in doing so.New York Civil Liberties Union websiteJean Charles de Menezes was a Brazilian living in London. He is now dead. London police shot him five times in the head and torso as he ran to catch the subway.

The itchy trigger fingered were looking for would be bombers. As always happens they killed an innocent person. Now we in New York can look forward to police searches of our belongings in the subway. That is bad news for anybody colored.

When black people need police protection we are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. I am terrified of a bombing taking place in the New York subway system that I use every day. I am also terrified because our encounters with cops usually don't end well, to put it mildly. There will obviously be increases in brutality, or in disrespectful and humiliating treatment.

The New York Civil Liberties Union believes that the searches violate the fourth amendment, which protects us against unreasonable searches and seizures. They have also asked for commuters to contact the NYCLU about their experience with police subway searches. It is essential that we keep the police honest. We don't want to end up like Mr. de Menezes, may he rest in peace.

Margaret Kimberley

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